New radio show to highlight Bakersfield's growing hip-hop scene

DJ Danny Morrison sits in the studio at 103.9 The Beat in Bakersfield, Calif., on May 17, 2017, preparing for the debut of his show the B-Town Mix Down. (KBAK/KBFX photo)

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) —

Radio DJ Danny Morrison wants to play local music.

That may not sound like a revolutionary idea, but in the current Bakersfield radio landscape, it is.

Starting this weekend, he will have that outlet in the new show B-Town Mix Down.

The show will be a weekly venue for local artists to be interviewed and perform live -- a format that was essentially wiped out in the corporate takeover of Bakersfield stations.

"The local artists in this town need some shine," said Morrison during a rehearsal for the show. "We are finally the outlet that is going to make that happen."

Morrison came to 103.9 The Beat in January, debuting an interview show called The Pulse. The next step was creating a forum for local artists to showcase their music.

"Every single time I go to a club or a church even, people shove music in my hand all the time," he said.

At his previous job, playing that music was a constant battle that he often lost. At 103.9, which is owned by the Cesar Chavez Foundation, he said he'll have the freedom to play whatever he wants.

"You've got to have hustle, and you've got to have talent," he said. "I'm only going to put artists on that represent us the right way. If you come in here with just nonsense -- killing people, slapping women -- I ain't gonna put you on!"

For Bakersfield-based artist Jovon Dangerfield, his message fits right in.

"I believe there are lives at stake. I believe somebody hearing my message, somebody hearing what we're saying, they'll want to change," he said. "Money will come and go, but what you stand for will stand long after you die."